Minutes of the
REGULAR MEETING
For the
City Council of Lookout Mountain, Georgia
October 15, 2009
PRESIDING: Thomas G. Gifford, Mayor
PRESENT: Vice Mayor Dennis Eischeid, Council Members David Fussell, Sandy Gothard, Catherine Kelley, City Attorney Bill Pickering, and City Clerk Dana Driver.
ABSENT: David Bennett
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Gifford called the meeting of the City Council to order at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 1214 Lula Lake Road, Lookout Mountain, Georgia.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the regular meeting held September 17, 2009 were approved as submitted.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the called meeting held October 6, 2009 were approved as submitted.
PAUL JOHNSON: Mr. Johnson presented his audit report for FY ’08-’09 with all state standards having been met. He explained the city once again finished in a sound financial position and for the year ending June 30, 2009 with a positive result of a $120,048 increase in net assets was achieved despite a decrease in revenues. Copies of the audited financial report were given to the Council.
FAIRYLAND SCHOOL PLAYGROUND – Ms. Angie Sutherland and Ms. Lloyd Smith came before the Council seeking help to renovate the Fairyland School playground which has some safety hazards. Gametime, the company that has provided the quote, has given the school a 50% grant for the cost of the upgrades. Since the City cannot give money directly to the school for the playground, the mayor advised money can be given to the Joint Recreation Board for the purchase of the equipment and upgrading the playground surface. The PTO has requested $13,590.00 from the City. Sandy Gothard seconded a motion made by Dennis Eischeid to approve up to $14,000 to be donated to the Joint Recreational Board with the earmark to the Fairyland School playground and all unanimously passed the motion.
MILLAGE RATE: City Attorney Bill Pickering read the ordinance adopting the 2009 millage rate in its entirety. Catherine Kelley seconded the motion made by Sandy Gothard and the vote was unanimous to adopt the 8.5 mill net rate for 2009 property tax on second and final reading. .
ELECTION UPDATE – City Clerk Dana Driver updated the Council that absentee voting was underway. Election Day will be November 3, 2009. Polls will open at 7 am and close at 7 pm. Mayor Gifford proposed to the Council that the poll manager and poll workers be paid a small per diem for working Election Day. The Council passed a resolution authorizing the City to pay the chief manager a per diem of $95.00 and each assistant manager a per diem of $65.00.
REAPPOINTMENT TO THE MUNICIPAL PLANNING COMMISSION - The Council unanimously approved the renewal of the appointment of Taylor Watson to the Municipal Planning Commission and several expressed their appreciation for her willingness to continue to serve.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PROCESS – Councilman Sandy Gothard informed the Council that he hopes to receive a final “draft plan” by November 9, 2009 from the Walker Collaborative. More information has been sent to Mr. Walker of the Walker Collaborative to be incorporated into the draft plan. After receipt of the draft plan and review by the steering committee and city officials, there will be a final public hearing presentation by the Walker Collaborative.
MONTHLY STORMWATER & SEWER REPORT – The Mayor informed the Council that one sewer pump is down but a backup is in place. Copies of the current storm water activity report were also distributed to the Council a copy of which is attached.
MAYOR’S REPORT
1) The mayor announced that the City had received a $200,000 grant from ARC toward the $533,000 needed for the restoration of this system. These funds in addition to the $150,000 committed by Covenant College and $50,000 committed from Dade County Sewer and Water bring the total to $400,000. There are still outstanding grant applications being pursued. The mayor also reiterated part of the auditor’s report that the sewer is operating in the black financially.
2. At the request of a citizen, the mayor also re-confirmed that all consulting fees associated with the Town Center and Comprehensive Plan process were being paid by the City.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Dana Driver
City Clerk